E-mailing Arjen Effing Lucassen
I recently e-mailed the mastermind behind Ayreon, composer Arjen Lucassen. And he was so damned amiable in his response that it makes me giddy. If you care to, read on. And whether you care to or not, go buy an Ayreon album!
Hello, Arjen,
== Hi Eric.
I simply wanted to write and thank you for all of your wonderful music.
== You're very welcome!
I listened to 'The Human Equation' all the way through again during a long
drive yesterday. And, as a music-lover and a writer, the amazing mixture of
wonderful music and even better literature just sends chills through me.
== Thanks for the big compliment, good to hear you enjoy it so much.
I've only heard '01011001', 'The Human Equation', and 'Universal
Migrator'. But the concept for 'Electric Castle' has caught my attention,
and I'll be picking it up soon. Still, 'Human Equation' is my favorite so
far.
== Mine as well I think. Hope you will like the other albums as well,
they're all quite different from each other.
'01011001' is good, but (maybe I need to listen another time or two) it
felt like the story didn't really begin until halfway through 'Y'. And
then, the story only really makes progress with Forever on 'Y', though you
provide some excellent social commentary (i.e. 'Connect the Dots' and 'Web
of Lies'). I guess I just expected a bit more interation between Forever
and Man. But it seems like all of that is covered on 'Electric Castle' and
'Final Experiment'.
== I agree, the story was getting somewhat complicated. That's why I ended
it with the last song on the upcoming Ayreon compilation box called
Timeline. The whole story is explained there by means of a timeline.
But good luck on your next project. I hope you have a wonderful day (and
that you get Labrie, Kursch, Khan, Barlow and Kakko onto a project
together - ultimate happiness! And the new Nightwish vocalist is awesome).
== All excellent singers indeed!
Looking forward to your next project,
== I'll make sure not to disappoint you :-)
Sincerely,
Eric Stephens
- p.s. And, an added thought - I'm assuming you wouldn't want any of your
stories written out full-length? Because I'd adore the challenge... I
would love the opportunity to write out in novel form the stories that you
and Schaffer are telling with your music. I apologize if I'm being overly
forward, but it's a fun idea...
== It's been done before. I'm not a reader though, so I haven't read any. In
fact I've never read a book in my life :-) But good luck, would be cool, why
not!
Take care,
Arjen.
Hello, Arjen,
== Hi Eric.
I simply wanted to write and thank you for all of your wonderful music.
== You're very welcome!
I listened to 'The Human Equation' all the way through again during a long
drive yesterday. And, as a music-lover and a writer, the amazing mixture of
wonderful music and even better literature just sends chills through me.
== Thanks for the big compliment, good to hear you enjoy it so much.
I've only heard '01011001', 'The Human Equation', and 'Universal
Migrator'. But the concept for 'Electric Castle' has caught my attention,
and I'll be picking it up soon. Still, 'Human Equation' is my favorite so
far.
== Mine as well I think. Hope you will like the other albums as well,
they're all quite different from each other.
'01011001' is good, but (maybe I need to listen another time or two) it
felt like the story didn't really begin until halfway through 'Y'. And
then, the story only really makes progress with Forever on 'Y', though you
provide some excellent social commentary (i.e. 'Connect the Dots' and 'Web
of Lies'). I guess I just expected a bit more interation between Forever
and Man. But it seems like all of that is covered on 'Electric Castle' and
'Final Experiment'.
== I agree, the story was getting somewhat complicated. That's why I ended
it with the last song on the upcoming Ayreon compilation box called
Timeline. The whole story is explained there by means of a timeline.
But good luck on your next project. I hope you have a wonderful day (and
that you get Labrie, Kursch, Khan, Barlow and Kakko onto a project
together - ultimate happiness! And the new Nightwish vocalist is awesome).
== All excellent singers indeed!
Looking forward to your next project,
== I'll make sure not to disappoint you :-)
Sincerely,
Eric Stephens
- p.s. And, an added thought - I'm assuming you wouldn't want any of your
stories written out full-length? Because I'd adore the challenge... I
would love the opportunity to write out in novel form the stories that you
and Schaffer are telling with your music. I apologize if I'm being overly
forward, but it's a fun idea...
== It's been done before. I'm not a reader though, so I haven't read any. In
fact I've never read a book in my life :-) But good luck, would be cool, why
not!
Take care,
Arjen.